Prices are slightly higher than most plastic brushes, as is often the case with environmentally-friendly alternatives, but they are not prohibitively expensive. Do your gums hurt after using interdental brushes? It's normal for your gums to bleed a little when you first start using them. This is a sign of early gum disease (gingivitis), but your new cleaning habits will help improve your gum health. Keep up your brushing for a few days, and the bleeding should subside. Unless advised by your dentist, you shouldn't use toothpaste with an interdental brush. However, you can buy special gels which are suitable for interproximal application, like TePe Gingival Gel. This contains antiseptic chlorhexidine and fluoride to offer extra protection. The best interdental brush brands in the UK So, now you know how to use interdental brushes, but which is the best brand and type for you? Below we cover some of the biggest brands in the UK, as well as some lesser-known ones which offer different features. TePe interdental brushes

Don’t apply regular toothpaste, because of abrasives that it contains. Instead, you can use anti-bacterial TePe Gingival Gel, which is especially designed for use with an interdental brush. To know how to properly use TePe interdental brushes for your daily oral care routine – see the following VIDEO. Interdental brushes are specially designed to clean between teeth and reach other areas that a regular toothbrush can't. Many people find that using an interdental toothbrush is easier than flossing, while others do both as part of a thorough oral hygiene routine. Choose a long-handled interdental brush with an angled head, like the TePe Angle Interdental Brush.

If you're new to between-teeth brushing, or you want to know whether you're doing it correctly, you probably have questions along these lines:

You might be wondering whether an interdental brush can replace string floss – especially if you find traditional floss quite difficult to use. Well, the good news is that various studies have shown that using interdental brushes is an effective alternative to flossing. Interproximal brushing can even be more effective at removing plaque than regular flossing, according to this research. Wisdom also make a range of ‘Clean Between' rubber interdental brushes. The soft rubber filaments are gentle on gums and safe for use around implants, metal fillings and crowns, and braces. They come in three sizes: fine (blue), medium (green) and large (purple).

Read more about flossing in our guide about how to floss and the best products to use. Can interdental brushes damage gums? The Oral Health Foundation recommends interdental cleaning before brushing, based on research which found that doing it this way around removed more plaque overall. Other bodies say that brushing teeth first is just as effective. Can you reuse interdental brushes? Interdental brushes (also called interproximal brushes) typically have a filament held in place by a metal wire, a bit like a mini bottle brush. The wire can be angled or bent to make it easier to reach certain spots in the mouth. A handle attached to the wire lets you manoeuvre the brush to clean away plaque and food debris trapped between teeth.

Looking for an environmentally responsible way to clean between your teeth? These specially designed interdental brushes by Truthbrush are carefully made from sustainably sourced bamboo and finished with plant oil for a smooth feel and water resistance. Well, you're in the right place because we are going to answer these questions – and more – in our guide to interdental brushes. If any pain or bleeding continues for more than a week or two, speak to your dentist. You might need a professional teeth cleaning to remove tartar buildup. Or, it may be that you need to try a smaller size or angle the brush differently. Our instructions a little further down will help you avoid damaging your gums by using the wrong technique. What's the difference between an interdental and interspace toothbrush?The average interdental brush can last anywhere from 3 days to a few weeks, depending on use and how hard it is working. What are interdental brushes made of? Most interdental brushes, like the TePe brand, are made from plastic. The handle is polypropylene and the brush is a mix of different plastics. While there are no fully biodegradable interdental brushes currently on the market, there are bamboo interdental brushes in which the handle is made from bamboo and the brush is made from nylon. Just like a normal toothbrush, you should rinse interdental brushes after each use to keep them clean. Should you use toothpaste with interdental toothbrushes?

Bend the wire at an angle (use a brush with a flexible head to reduce the likelihood of the wire breaking) No, TePe interdental brushes are not recyclable because they are composed of both bristles and plastic. Most recycling programs are not set up to handle items made from different materials. For the front of the mouth, insert brush into the space between the teeth at gum level by turning slightly. This technique aids access and reduces stress on the wire. Are you an avid flosser but not sure you’re getting all the food out from between your teeth? Try environmentally friendly interdental brushes instead. They actually ‘brush’ in between your teeth, effectively removing plaque better than regular dental floss. What are interdental brushes?Once you have selected the correct size brush for the gaps in your teeth, it can take some time to get used to interdental brushing. It might help to stand in front of a mirror at first, until you can do it without looking. Try inserting the brush from the inside (next to the tongue or the roof of the mouth) rather than the outside